Hey everyone I am new here and i joined because just recently I created a 5000 gallon pond in my backyard, right upon filling it with a hose it was very murky, not murky as in dirty, murky as in a bluish green color even after the dirt settled, i cant figure out what it is, it has been a few days and the murk hasnt gone down at all, I even put 5 catfish and plecos in to try to clean it up, but nothing has worked, any suggestions?
murky water: can someone help me???
- Thread starter sarraceniaguy
- Start date
Dangerdoll
Global Moderator
how recently have you put the pond in? what are the dimensions, where are you from? Is there a filter running on the pond?
I put the pond in about 6 days ago, it has a elephant ear, and soon im going to put some cattails in as well, it currently doesnt have a filter, i have three small pumps with built in filters, will this be good enough, if not what type of filter would you reccomend?
Ditto DD
What you have on the suction side of your submersible pumps are not 'pond filters' they are PREFILTERS for the pumps, to stop large debris like leaves etc from going through the impeller.
A POND FILTER is used for mechanical removal of waste and for biological culture of bacteria to clean the pond water. They come in many different configurations and styles. Do a Google search on Pond Filters and you'll see what I mean. Many Ponder's build their own filters as well. Google DIY pond filter.
There are 3 basic componants to every pond:
pump
filter (mechanical & biological)
skimmer
Additions include:
bottom drain (or retro-drain)
air diffussers
air pumps
Fines filters (or water polisher)
UVC or UVS (ultraviolet lights used for algae control)
and to add... Did you have the water metered when filling to know you actually have 5000 gallons? Where did the source water come from? Well or city? Is this a rubber liner pond or concrete? Do you have Limestone rock around the pond edging(touching water)? Do you have any rocks in the pond itself? Were there any other fish put in before the catfish and plecos?
What you have on the suction side of your submersible pumps are not 'pond filters' they are PREFILTERS for the pumps, to stop large debris like leaves etc from going through the impeller.
A POND FILTER is used for mechanical removal of waste and for biological culture of bacteria to clean the pond water. They come in many different configurations and styles. Do a Google search on Pond Filters and you'll see what I mean. Many Ponder's build their own filters as well. Google DIY pond filter.
There are 3 basic componants to every pond:
pump
filter (mechanical & biological)
skimmer
Additions include:
bottom drain (or retro-drain)
air diffussers
air pumps
Fines filters (or water polisher)
UVC or UVS (ultraviolet lights used for algae control)
sorry if i can't answer all your questions, I dont know if i can remember them all but I'll try:
Where am i From- I live in Colorado Springs
What are the dimensions- I dont know exactly, It's 3 feet deep mostly, and circular, the diameter is around 10-15 feet
Did you have the water metered when you put it in to know that you actually have 5000 gallons- no I used an online calculator, and figured it was 5000 give or take
Where did the source of water come from- city
Is this a ruber liner pond or concrete- Liner
Do you have limestone rocks around the edging- no
Do you have any rocks inside the pond itself- yes a few rocks, I don't know what type though
Were there any other fish put in before the catfish and plecos- nope, I have two shibunkin goldfish which I havent put in yet
I think i can take a picture, so ill try to today
Where am i From- I live in Colorado Springs
What are the dimensions- I dont know exactly, It's 3 feet deep mostly, and circular, the diameter is around 10-15 feet
Did you have the water metered when you put it in to know that you actually have 5000 gallons- no I used an online calculator, and figured it was 5000 give or take
Where did the source of water come from- city
Is this a ruber liner pond or concrete- Liner
Do you have limestone rocks around the edging- no
Do you have any rocks inside the pond itself- yes a few rocks, I don't know what type though
Were there any other fish put in before the catfish and plecos- nope, I have two shibunkin goldfish which I havent put in yet
I think i can take a picture, so ill try to today
According to what I get you're no where near 5000 gallons. If the pond is oval or circular and as you say max 15' in diameter then you're looking at maybe 3500 gallons... put some shelves into the equation and it will be less.sarraceniaguy said:
A photo would be grand... might help. I think what you are seeing is nothing but very fine suspended particles, against a dark surface this can cause the water to appear blue or greenish.... a Pond Filter would take care of this
yes! well tommorow Im going to home depot to check out there pond filters, I also built a small one out of two pumps, a rubbermaid, and some aquarium filters which seems to clean out most dirt although I havent tried it in the pond yet, I am alos going to drain the pond about half way to see if that helps at all, i counted 7 catfish, 1 bass, and 2 plecos today, i forgot to say about the bass since i only added it yesterday, it is a smallmouth incase that helps, i took a photo and i will try to post it ASAP
I also think you have suspended particles, dirt, etc. The pond is new and has to cycle. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple months. Patience is important here. You don't want to keep draining it and refilling as that will actually set y ou back and not solve the problem.
You will definitly need good filtration. Biological and mechanical. If you are handy and want to save some money you can build some good ones yourself.
Here are some links for you to read.
http://www.skippysstuff.com/biofiltr.htm
http://rodandjenn2.home.mchsi.com/Adam_s_Filter/adam_s_filter.html
Another good bio filter that can help is a trickle tower. It can be made in a number of different ways but using a strawberry jar filled with lava rock is probably the most common.
Looks basically like this.
All of these type of filters can be made in different sizes to suite your pond size.
You will definitly need good filtration. Biological and mechanical. If you are handy and want to save some money you can build some good ones yourself.
Here are some links for you to read.
http://www.skippysstuff.com/biofiltr.htm
http://rodandjenn2.home.mchsi.com/Adam_s_Filter/adam_s_filter.html
Another good bio filter that can help is a trickle tower. It can be made in a number of different ways but using a strawberry jar filled with lava rock is probably the most common.
Looks basically like this.
All of these type of filters can be made in different sizes to suite your pond size.